·Jim Stewart,
2004-2005 Senate President, called the Senate to order at 4:11 pm. Senators
approved minutes of March 7, 2005. Senators asked for announcement of rights
and responses if approached by government agents seeking information in light of
the Patriot Act. President Morse confirmed that no answers should be given, and
the questioner should be referred to the Attorney General’s office. Senators
learned that a Whatcom librarian who had refused to turn over patron records
from the Deming Library to the FBI had been awarded the prestigious Pen/Newman
award for preserving First Amendment rights.

·President Morse gave
recognition and appreciation to David Patrick, Chemistry, who has mentored two
student finalists in the
renowned Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

·Morse announced that
the Senate budget was not as favorable as the Governor’s budget, but a House
Budget due out Wednesday may maintain a 5% tuition increase without a portion
mandated to provide financial aid.

·Morse confirmed she
will appoint the four faculty named by the Executive Council to the Strategic
Planning Committee chaired by Provost Bodman and Jeff Newcomer. Morse will also
announce invitations this week to provide input into the Provost’s five-year
review.

·Provost Bodman
reported he will have more information regarding the status of chairs as faculty
for purposes of the bargaining unit at the April 18th meeting.
Bodman will also seek proposals on the imposition of a fee in order to fund
library acquisitions.

·Senators unanimously
approved the 2006-2007 University Planning Council’s revised Contingency
Plan for forwarding to the Board of Trustees.

·MOTIONS FROM THE
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL:
Senatorsapproved the new Faculty Grievance Procedure which
will replace the current Appendix E of the Faculty Handbook; 2) Senators
approved minor revisions to current Bylaw 7.6. Offices and Roles in the
Grievance Procedure; 3) Senators approved a new Bylaw 7.6.1 creating
the position of the Ombuds. A second vote will be held on the Bylaws
before they are forwarded to the Board of Trustees. Following the vote Senators
agreed to further discuss the question of providing training for Executive
Council members involved in grievance decisions.

·Constituent
Concerns: Senators
asked: 1) if Banner could be the first to implement “password hardening”; 2)
clarification and publication of the process for deciding on symbols used to
represent Western, especially in athletics; 3)
request for guidelines regarding departmental accreditation
processes; 4) request for immediate communication when public safety is in
question. 5) Senators will consider handbook language regarding leave policy.

Senators voted to adjourn at 5:44
p.m.

Appointments and Elections –
Jeff Newcomer, Officer

All Faculty are
encouraged to return their Faculty Senate election ballots to the Senate office
by Friday, April 8th.